Here are my early, hot-off-the-press photos from this year’s Romance Writers of America Conference. I’m only posting the ones I happen to have in my camera. More—including “Seppies” at the conference and photos of me receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award—will be coming in, and I’ll be adding to this album. Can you tell how much fun I had?!
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- Editor Carrie and I have been together for twelve years. I’m so lucky to have her.
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- I’m sitting with Julia Quinn and Stephanie Laurens in the (tiny) room where Margaret Mitchell wrote GONE WITH THE WIND. What a thrill.
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- This is the real “Rita.” Rita Clay Estrada, the founder of RWA. She’s a sweetheart, and we all owe her so much.
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- Here I am with the incomparable Jennifer Crusie and our own Chris G., from the bulletin board. (I met Chris’s adorable children.)
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- I’m standing with two of my closest friends and favorite authors, Kristin Hannah and Jayne Ann Krentz. (Yes, I know how lucky I am to have such wonderful women in my life.)
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- Some of the readers and writers who graciously lined up to chat with me at the Literacy Autographing.
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- At the Avon Authors party with the incomparable Eloisa James. Her husband found her lovely necklace in Florence, where they reside part of the year. I love talking with her.
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- Once again, the SEP Bulletin Board Members surprise me. Can you believe this? Our dear “Mira” collected photographs and transferred them to fabric to make this quilt for me. Sorry the photo isn’t better. I spread the quilt out on the bed in my hotel room, hopped up on the mattress, and shot down on it. Just had to let all of you see this right away.
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- During the cocktail hour at the Avon author’s party, my pal Teresa Medeiros and I were enchanted with Jacquie D’Alessandro’s princess dress and “crocodile” purse. Can you see that the crocodile has a magic wand? My pink dress is the same one I wore to Zach’s wedding. It brought back good memories.
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- I’m with our adorable Bubby Bev from the SEP Bulletin Board at the Margaret Mitchell house. She helped me research NATURAL BORN CHARMER.
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- Finishing our presentation at the Margaret Mitchell House. With Julia Quinn, Meg Cabot, and Stephanie Laurens.
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- A hug from a glamorous Nora Roberts after I got my Lifetime Achievement Award.
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- Here I am with Bill after the Rita ceremony. He flew into Atlanta just to be with me that evening.
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- Seppies goofin’ off after the ceremony.Which of these shoes doesn’t belong? How about Bill’s size 14 narrow?
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- Seppies Forever. With my SEP Bulletin Board buddies Chris G., Elle, Bubbly Bev, Celia B., and Mira. I love these women.
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- Rachel Gibson took this photo on our drive back to the hotel after the fabulous Friday night gala Avon threw for its authors. Editor Carrie gave me the pink “First Lady” hat. Despite the way I look, I’d only had two glasses of champagne, honest!